HIH8 Fishing Spots & Trails

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Ouray19

Ouray19

Joined
Jul 1, 2016
Threads
10
Messages
327
Location
Austin, TX
Hey All,

Not to spam up the HIH8 thread, I figured I might start a little thread for those that are going to be looking for some fishing spots in the evening, etc.

I might take Stony pass out of Silverton on Tuesday, that way I can actually head east to Creede and leave by way of Walsenburg and down through Trinidad and not have to mess with Eastern New Mexico. But my wife and kids will probably camp or stay a couple nights at the Lost Trail Campground on the west end of the Rio Grande Reservoir. There is some good fishing up after hiking up Ute creek, but also just beautiful area.

As far as base camp though, anyone got recommendations close to camp in Silverton?
 
I've got Landon Mayer's book "Colorado's Best Fly Fishing" at home; will check on his recommendations for Silverton area and post back here later.
 
Your preferred methods will have a big impact on where to fish (bait,artificial,fly rod, spinning, bait casting, etc.). You can fly fish the river right next to camp but the conditions are tough due to the fast moving water and gravel bottom. You can head up the river and find some side creeks that are a little easier to fish. There are a lot of the creeks/rivers in the area that are dead due to the waste coming out of the old mines. There are also some ponds/lakes that are pretty close both north and south of Silverton, appropriate for a short evening fishing trip.
 
@paflytyer knows the area a little better than me and might be able to provide some recommendations.
 
Thanks for starting the thread. I was planning on bringing a fly and ultralight spinning setup. How is the process of getting a license in Silverton? There doesn't show to be a vendor there on the CO parks and wildlife page.
 
TXSunDevil said:
Thanks for starting the thread. I was planning on bringing a fly and ultralight spinning setup. How is the process of getting a license in Silverton? There doesn't show to be a vendor there on the CO parks and wildlife page.
Click to expand...

I thought you could buy non-residence licenses online...?
 
Which way are you coming in? Through Durango? There should be mutliple spots there to buy a license that shouldn't take longer than 5 minutes.

Big 5 Sports
Goods for the Woods
San Juan Angler

Should all be fine.
 
Ouray19 said:
Which way are you coming in? Through Durango? There should be mutliple spots there to buy a license that shouldn't take longer than 5 minutes.

Big 5 Sports
Goods for the Woods
San Juan Angler

Should all be fine.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I think we are meeting in Durango for lunch. Ill take off a few minutes early so I can procure my license for the trip.
 
There is a Super Walmart in Durango as well and I'm sure they sell them. I have bought licenses in Silverton in the past but now I just do it online.
 
So I checked Landon's book and it wasn't super helpful for evening fishing spots close to Silverton. For the upper animas, he recommends using the train from Rockwood to access some parts of the river, so for anyone that is skipping a trail day or staying longer, that would be something to look into.
 
Last there an option to go fishing at Molas Lake. We did a little lake not too far from Molas, Little Molas. Andrews Lake is the same area. Wasn’t too far away, maybe 20-30 minutes. Close enough to go get in some fishing time after coming back from an early trail day. If you plan on lake fishing, bring the bug spray! I’d also recommend a good set of waders no matter where you go. Mountain water is COLD! Sandals and shorts are fine, but Little Molas was basically a 20 foot deep bog shoreline around most of the lake.

I’d like to hit some spots as well, but it’s just me and the wife this year. She’s not big into fishing.

I wonder if the pond at the campsite has any fish in it?
 
I camped next to that pond. I never saw any signs of fish, despite looking at it many times last year. It looked really shallow. A pond like that during a particularly buggy part of the year should have at least shown some signs of fish rising.
 
Just got word this week that my in-laws are coming to just hang out in Silverton and help with the kids. That means I get more "sneak away moments" for angling.

Current Animas report:

http://duranglers.com/durango-area-rivers-report/#animas

Zob2sOq.jpg
 
Out of curiousity, anyone else manage to find the fish? I was able to catch several up at clear lake, 5 or 6 in the creek behind "kids camp" at base camp as well. I then took Stony Pass on my way home and hit the Rio Grande. The fishing before you get to the Reservoir is incredible. Small stuff, but you can tell they don't get fished a lot and have to fight for everything. If you aren't looking for trophies, you can catch 100 fish in a day.
 
I had the same experience as you in Clear Lake and the creek by camp. My daughter and I both caught a Tiger Trout in Clear Lake, which was a nice treat. Most were small. I did get a decent Brookie behind family camp, maybe 10". Everything I caught was using a stimulator. My daughter got hers on a Castmater spoon.

I thinking about organizing and leading a run next year that would be less wheeling and more family time and fishing. We'd go up to Clear Lake, then I'd try to find a couple decent spots along South Mineral Creek. I'd be willing to do some fly fishing instruction as part of it as well. I would go up a few days early to get my fishing in and scout the locations, then take a group during the official runs.
 
marcfj60 said:
I had the same experience as you in Clear Lake and the creek by camp. My daughter and I both caught a Tiger Trout in Clear Lake, which was a nice treat. Most were small. I did get a decent Brookie behind family camp, maybe 10". Everything I caught was using a stimulator. My daughter got hers on a Castmater spoon.

I thinking about organizing and leading a run next year that would be less wheeling and more family time and fishing. We'd go up to Clear Lake, then I'd try to find a couple decent spots along South Mineral Creek. I'd be willing to do some fly fishing instruction as part of it as well. I would go up a few days early to get my fishing in and scout the locations, then take a group during the official runs.
Click to expand...
I volunteer to assist you on the fly fishing part. I think people want to learn how to fly fish, but for those that aren't familiar, it can seem intimidating. (You and I both know it shouldn't be though haha) I would be happy to help instruct people. You know, we could even do "casting training" down at camp one afternoon after trails, that way people can learn some basics, and then they can utilize their time at the lake actually fishing and getting their line on the water once we get up on the mountain. Just an idea, let me know if you would want some help.
 
I caught a HUGE (4") brown? in Clear lake. LOTS of strikes, all tiny fish.

I also fished in the Rio on Stony. Couple good strikes, no fish. Time of day was bad (that's my excuse anyway).
 
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